Who is this distinction important for?

Shoppers with a strict sugar-free requirement

For you, the most important thing is the amount of sugars per 100 g. Whether the sprinkles are crunchy or suitable for decorating cakes comes second.

Bakers looking for classic aniseed sprinkles

You want a crunchy aniseed topping for cupcakes, cakes or bakes, and you can tell the difference between traditional sprinkles and soft sweets with the same name.

Shoppers who check ingredients carefully

As well as sugars, you check for polyols, wheat or gluten, and gelatine. The ingredients list on the exact pack is what matters most to you.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether the sugar content or suitability for topping cakes matters most; then check the ingredients of the exact variant. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a solid food may only be described as sugar-free if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Sugar-free requirement Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g in the nutrition table for the exact variant. I want to serve something with coffee that meets my strict sugar-free requirement; for around 45% of consumers, this comes first.
Use on cake Check whether the pack mentions use on cakes, cupcakes or bakes, and whether you want a crunchy or soft texture. I want the crunchy finish of traditional sprinkles on my cake; for around 33% of consumers, this is the top priority.
Ingredients Read the ingredients and allergen information; if you’re choosing sugar-free sweets, check for polyols too. I want to know whether the ingredients suit what I’m serving and what I can tolerate; for around 22% of consumers, this matters most.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking sugar-free sweets for classic cake decorations

    bol’s product listing describes Joris Muisjes Suikervrij as soft sweets. PLUS describes De Ruijter Feestmuisjes as crunchy, sugared aniseed seeds. So the same name doesn’t necessarily mean the same texture on cake.

    If you’re buying for baking, look for a variant whose pack or product page mentions use on cakes, cupcakes or bakes.

  • Checking sugars alone

    bol’s listing gives Joris Muisjes Suikervrij 0.1 g of sugars and 78.4 g of polyols per 100 g. According to the Voedingscentrum, large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems.

    Check the polyol content too, and read the ingredients list on the pack you’re buying.

  • Confusing a diet label with the ingredients list

    Seller information for Joris Muisjes Suikervrij lists edible gelatine, while dietary classifications vary between product listings. A retailer’s label alone is therefore not a reliable basis for choosing a vegetarian or vegan product.

    If this is important to you, check the current ingredients on the exact pack before you choose.

Relevant brands to compare

De Ruijter

Traditional sprinkles made from sugared aniseed seeds. PLUS describes Feestmuisjes as crunchy, while Joybuy’s product information says Pink Muisjes can be used on cupcakes, cakes and bakes.

  • An option to consider when a crunchy topping for baking matters more than a sugar-free claim.
  • According to Joybuy’s product information, Pink Muisjes contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g. The ingredients information for the blue and white variant also lists wheat and gluten.

Suikerbakkerij Joris

bol’s product listing describes Joris Muisjes Suikervrij as soft sweets, making them more suited to enjoying with coffee than as a traditional aniseed topping.

  • bol’s nutrition information gives this product 0.1 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • The listing also gives 78.4 g of polyols per 100 g. Snoepgoed lists edible gelatine as an ingredient; check the current pack if ingredients or dietary requirements will affect your choice.

Related Joybuy products

Related products will appear here soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are De Ruijter Pink Muisjes sugar-free?

No. According to Joybuy’s product information, De Ruijter Pink Muisjes contain 79 g of sugars per 100 g. That’s above the maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g allowed for a sugar-free claim under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

What does ‘sugar-free’ mean on a Dutch label?

Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a solid food may be described as sugar-free if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; for drinks, the limit is per 100 ml. Check the nutrition information for the exact product rather than relying on other wording on the front of the pack.

Are Joris Muisjes Suikervrij suitable for decorating cakes?

Don’t assume so based on the name alone. bol’s product listing describes Joris Muisjes Suikervrij as soft sweets, while Joybuy’s product information says De Ruijter Pink Muisjes can be used on cupcakes, cakes and bakes. Check whether the current Joris pack also mentions use on cakes.

Why should you check polyols in sugar-free sprinkles too?

A low sugar content doesn’t tell you how many polyols a product contains. bol’s product listing gives Joris Muisjes Suikervrij 78.4 g of polyols per 100 g; according to the Voedingscentrum, large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems. So as well as checking ‘of which sugars’, read the rest of the nutrition information and the ingredients.